QUARTERLY MEETING OF THE ELECTED COMMITTEE OF MANAGERS
October 14, 2016
Marriott Plaza Downtown San Antonio
555 S. Alamo Street
San Antonio, Texas 78205
The meeting will be held prior to the Annual Business Conference.
Call to order 3:00 P.M.
Attendance:
Calvin S
Arnold S
Karla Martinez
Aloha C
Cecilia W
Manny S
Clayton H
Dwayne Z
Zach D
Paul P
Guests:
Steve Saltzman, Angela and Rufino Acosta, Beverly Hell, Connie Parker, Jerry Ramirez, Michael Vacek, Amanda Neal, Irene Garza, Sharon Hubbard, Bobby Allen, Ed and Debbie Marlow, Tom and Kim Chepey, Mark Russell, Kenneth Landtroop, Tony Campbell, Lendon Lee, Nancy Greeley,
Mike Sparks, Wayne Sibson, Dwayne Sparks, Esta Scott,
Slim and Susan Marquis, Jessie Qualls, Watson Sr and Jr, Boice Best, Roger Best, Bruce and Connie Best, Harvey and Georgie S.
Cheryl Fuller (TWC)
Terry Smith (NFBEI)
Nicky Gacos (NABM)
Albert Rizzi (My Blind Spot)
Roll call of ECM and Guests
03:05 Called to order.
Approval of minutes of last meeting.
· Cecilia moved to pass minutes.
· Manny S: seconded.
· The motion passed.
BET Directors Report
03:11
Cheryl Fuller, our new director, said hello, and introduced herself.
History
He found a picture, from 1898, of Teddy Roosevelt, riding a horse in Alamo Plaza. Teddy was the Secretary of Defense, at the time. He was giving a speech, when someone shot him in the chest. Teddy continued, not stopping his speech for medical attention, until he was finished and continued giving his speech. The first cavalry division was being formed in San Antonio, TX. Teddy came down to join the cavalry. Debunking the rumor, Teddy did not actually start the Rough Riders at the Menger Hotel.
Facility Updates
· 115 facilities operating
· No new facilities opened last year.
· 4 being temporary managed.
· VA Waco, NASA Houston, Hardeman County, IRS snack bar Alpha Rd Dallas.
· Richmond Supported Living Center, and Army Exchange in Dallas were closed.
Financial Figures
· $500,000 spent in operational upgrades, 37 facilities.
· 5 managers left the program.
Dave Stansik, Mark Harris, and Richard Flores (all retired), Russ Olson and Lowell Covington quit.
· 4 new managers. Rhonda, Elizabeth, Ashley and Ram.
· Rhonda - IRS Dallas
· Elizabeth - Post Office SA
· Ashley - Federal Building Houston
· Ram - Texas Workforce vending route in Austin.
· J Wolf, existing trainee.
· Consultants conducted 2269 facility visits
· BET owner/operators employ 1,450 Texans.
· 9% of which are disabled. (129)
· 15 of that number are blind.
Facility Advertisements
· 10 facilities were advertised this year.
· Many of these produced more than our median income.
· Wayne Sibson leaving the Austin VA for the Winter’s BLDG C Store.
· IRS 1301 Young Dallas, John M left for vending.
Facility Financial Figures
· $105,000 average BET owner/operator earnings
· $60,000 median earnings.
· 1/3 of our owner/operators are making in the 6 figures.
· Facilities sold about $70,000,000 in goods.
· We purchased about $10,000,000 from companies in Texas.
· We generated about $1,500,000 in sales tax, for Texas.
· “BET is NOT a program where Texas is helping the blind, this is a program where the blind are helping Texas”.
BET Staff Turnover
The BET staff has not had turnover in 20+ years. Starting in January 2016, it became retirement time.
· Louis Howell - BET Deputy Director, Austin.
· Leila - BET Staff, Austin.
· Andrea - BET Staff, Austin
· Sandra Carter - Business Consultant, Dallas
· Josh Dominguez - Business Consultant, El Paso.
· Mr. Hooks introduced all new and existing BET staff present, speaking well of all, *clapping*
TWC
Sept 01, 2016, we transitioned from the HHSC DARS Division for Blind Services, to a new agency, the Texas Workforce Commission. TWC is jumping right in, assisting BET with the pending Ft Bliss and Ft Sam Houston arbitration battles. TWC is also participating, in our fight against the damaging proposed DOD regulations.
ECM
“Your ECM has been on the front lines, not just for your concerns. We’ve always tried to celebrate in public, and problem solve in private.” - Mike Hooks.
The ECM has been addressing concerns on the national bases. Conference call, discussing the online comments, fighting the DOD regulations. Attended national conferences, they pitch in where they can.
Question: Ozzie F, Managers having issues with business consultants, regarding documentation, asking about proper procedures.
Hooks: If you have an issue with the BC, which will happen. First, go to Michael V, their supervisor. He will handle it, but if you cannot reach conclusion with him, then you need to address Mike Hooks.
Conversation proceeded for several minutes.
Question2: Kristen M: Loves her new facility in San Antonio, no regret, Austin is in her past. Loves her BCs. Worked for private sector, interested in a proper format to provide feedback on quality of the business consultant’s performance.
Hooks: You can always provide feedback, email either of the Mikes.
Hooks provided feedback regarding the Annual Manager’s Performance Evaluation, that the ECM created and that it is not subjective.
Kristen: Not complaining about her own reviews, simply stating, wouldn’t it be good for BET to know the manager’s feedback on their BC, employee, performance in the field.
Hooks: Yes please, send it to Mike V.
3:38, Mr. Hooks concluded.
3:47, questions ended.
Chairman’s Report
Clayton Hell:
· Praised the owner/operator participation in the comments for the DOD and DOE regulations.
· Very proud of everyone, in our organization, and really hopes, if you get a chance, introduce yourself to the new BET staff.
“Ending early, to move it along.”, Clayton Hell.
3:50.
District Reports
District 1- Food Manny S
· Wayne S, taking the Winter’s convenience store.
· Spoke with a few of his managers.
· Tim Dawson, the new DDS operator, just started.
District 1 - Vending Calvin S
· Dwayne Sparks: everything is mostly good, Travis Jail, visitation section, floor cleaners, overloading cold food machines, ruining product.
· Cornell P- interest in paying set-aside online, is good other than that.
· Roberto- happy with his card readers.
· Deborah W- no response.
· Bobby Allen- no response.
District 2 - Food Zach D
· Steve S- doing well, medical issues are under control, and got to attend this year’s conference.
Al M- Doing well, having issue again with IRS locking break rooms, where his vending machines are located.
John M- happy to be transitioning into vending.
Scott S- doing well, happy he decided to accept credit cards.
Ed Marlow: Has an interest in researching the creation of a formal evaluation or feedback concept, for BC.
JD S- Unable to reach.
District 2 - VendingDwayne Z
· He’s been extremely busy, with his temp location, not allowing him to reach out to all of his managers, like he normally would.
· No complaints no problems.
District 3 - Food Arnold S
District is good.
District 3 - Vending Cecilia W
· Karl Kent, new to his district.
· Lindon Lee, happy to have their BC back from medical leave.
· The district is going well.
District 4 - Food Dave Corbett
· Sylvia D- email regarding her performance review, highest score in the district he’s seen in quite some time.
· Welcomed Kristin to District 4.
· District is going well.
District 4 - Vending Clayton H
· Rufino A- reported 3.5% increase in sales!
· Ken Ballard- broke his foot, other than that he’s doing well, issues with the prison not letting him in because he’s wearing his rehabilitation boot.
· Pablo and Louise, both doing well, helping Pablo’s wife recover from her medical procedure.
· Dave C- doing well.
· Gay N- doing well, moving along.
· Robert C- has been taking prolonged vacations.
· Jenna N- doing well, her ducks are in a row.
· Ram G- doing well in Laredo.
· Paul Z- doing well with his rest area.
· Bob P- also doing well, last he spoke with him.
· Clayton H- frustration station is getting along.
District 5 - Food Harvey J
· Unable to attend.
· Having medical issues, keep him in your prayers.
District 5 - Vending Paul Parker
· Loves his district, spread out, few in a large area.
· Most people are content, managers let him know quickly if issues arise, thanked his business consultants.
· Mike V- he’s retiring in the next month or two.
District 6 - Food Karla Martinez
· Congratulations to Kristin, on getting her new facility.
· Complements to Wayne SIbson.
· Maria Bosh- is losing her husband, terminal stage of alzheimer's disease, letting him go in peace.
· Travis W- continuing to have vision issues, but his facility is going
· Leroy D- missing the conference, his wife is having a baby Saturday night.
· John L- doing well.
· Tom C- doing well at the Winter’s building.
· Ronnie W- doing well downtown.
· Arnold M- some bumps in the road, but he is doing just fine now.
· Karla M- doing well, cannot complain, very happy with her facility.
· John D- doing well.
District 6 - Vending Aloha Cook
· Thanked those who made it to the meeting.
· Thanked those who brought up the questions, earlier in the meeting, that were asked of Mr. Hooks.
· Her district is doing well.
· Her facility is good.
Committee Reports:
Rules and By-Laws Committee: Manny Sifuentes
Clayton H: nothing to report at this time.
Finance and Budget Committee: Zachary Davis
· Current PayPal balance$1,796.03
· Current ECM Fund Balance- $23,571.58
· Current Total: $25,367.61
Zach: all financial figures can be found on the Texas ECM website,
Elections Committee: Cecilia Wilson
Districts 2,4, & 6 are coming up for elections.
We will be discussing this more on Sunday.
Training Conference Committee: Karla Martinez
I had a really tough year, and I want to thank a lot. Especially I want to thank, Clayton Hell, Zach Davis, and Aloha Cook.
I would not have been able to get the conference done without them.
Training of Potential Managers Committee: Aloha Cook
J Wolf, our single trainee.
· He’s been employed, in the past, by Randy Clutter, John D Simon, and several other managers, before applying to the program.
· He graduates in November.
Vending Committee:
Clayton H: Not filled at this time.
· After the start of the Texas legislature, we will be filling this role again.
· Beginning January, legislature will be convening. We will be watchful for any proposed bills, that could be detrimental to our existence, or our ability to operate.
· Whoever’s elected chairman, next year, will be contacting you, to assist you in lobbying to get our case presented before the necessary committee or legislatures, proposing any of these bills.
Mark R: most of the lobbyist are already arriving, he’s seen them in his facility. Encourages continued support of the Better Eating Today, and or healthy food items.
Aloha Cook mentioned that Harvey S did a great job of calorie disclosure on his machines and to ask him for suggestions or examples.
Clayton: continue to push, we need to be ahead of the healthy wave. Embrace it, not fight it.
Ed Marlow asked if ECM is putting a panel together, to find the best way, to implement healthy vending statewide.
Clayton H replied, We do not have an official committee, but it has been discussed repeatedly, and we are gathering as much data as we can, since the situation is still fluid at this time.
Jerry Romerez mentioned the upcoming law only applies if you possess 20 or more machines.
CCRC: Manny S
· Early this year, I started our committee, to explore how to better prepare interested people, in applying to our program.
· We will be posting details and updates, regarding what is happening with this project, online.
· The committee wants to own the program, getting together, as managers, what we think the best tools are, to prepare future managers for success.
· Complemented Zach D, on all he’s done for the committee and documentation preparation.
Website Zach D
· Blog: discussed new blog activity, and how it will be used to mass convey updates, news, and important info across the state.
· Mail Chimp: Explained this is how he has tied the new blog posts into the automatic emails being sent.
· Facebook: creating a Texas ECM FB page, owners can like/follow, which the new blog posts will also populate to.
· Prior Conference details: Reminded people, you can access audio recordings from prior conference speeches and presentations, under the conferences section of the website.
· Mark R: commented how much he appreciates the blog, and how it helps him stay current.
· Aloha C: reminded us all to thank people, that are willing to satellite facilities in need.
Next Meeting:
Date: January 14, 2016
Location: Dallas, Texas (Specific location is TBD)